In just a little over two
years, at least 16 Kentucky loggers have been killed as a result
of being struck by falling trees or branches (12), or by logs
falling from trucks they were unloading (4).

Described below are two representative
fatal incidents, followed by our recommendations for prevention
of similar incidents.

INCIDENTS and RECOMMENDATIONS:

(1) A
tree being felled hit a nearby dead tree, breaking branches which
fell and hit the logger.

RECOMMENDATIONS: (a) Tree fellers
should ensure that they properly evaluate the area around timber
to be felled so that potential hazards can be identified and appropriate
control measures implemented; (b) personal protective equipment
(PPE), for example, hardhats, should always be used when felling
trees; (c) loggers should ensure that emergency messages can be
transmitted quickly, for example, by two-way radios or cellular

(2) When the chains were
loosened to unload at a sawmill, a log rolled off the truck onto
the driver, killing him.

RECOMMENDATIONS: (a) The height
of the stack of logs should not exceed the height of the vertical
stakes on the truck; (b) chains should be long enough to allow
unfastening on one side only; (c) sawmills should have written
safety policies for unloading procedures, and enforce them; and,
(d) sawmills should provide safety racks or unbinding cages which
cover and protect drivers while unloading.

All loggers should attend the Master
Logger Program for education regarding logging standards and safety
procedures.

For additional safety
information contact KY FACE at 1-800-204-3223, or, in Lexington
257-4955. FACE is a project of the Kentucky Injury Prevention
and Research Center (a partnership of the KY Dept. for Health
Services and the University of KY), located at UK Chandler Medical
Center.